LACMTA approves FY14 budget

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LACMTA) Board of Directors has adopted a a balanced $5.1 billion Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget that holds fares at current levels. LACMTA's fiscal year begins July 1.

But LACMTA CEO Art Leahy urged the Board to begin discussing fare restructuring for future years, noting the agency's revenue-to-cost ratio for both buses and trains is only 26%, lower than most other U.S. counterparts.

Additional late night service will be added on the Expo and Gold Lines (light rail transit), with more weekend service on all rail lines.

The budget also includes $165 million for safety and security, $13 million more than the previous fiscal year. The amount includes paying for law enforcement on the LACMTA system in addition to capital improvements and various passenger safety and security measures.

LACMTA also plans on unveiling a master plan for Union Station in Los Angeles, that will address how the historic facility will accommodate transit system expansion. The master plan has generated considerable interest, and some controversy, among rail advocates in the Los Angeles basin.

Fulfilling the voter mandate for Measure R in FY14, LACMTA will advance design and early construction for the Purple Line subway extension, the Regional Connector rail line that will connect the Gold, Blue, and Expo lines to streamline or reduce transfers, and the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor LRT line.